CHRIS THOMPSON reckons he could get a taste for the high life after cruising to a champagne victory in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run yesterday.

The European silver medallist admitted he was feeling the heat to deliver in the 10-mile race even though only two weeks had passed since his punishing marathon debut in London.

But Mo Farah’s long-time rival delivered with a late flurry, sitting in the slipstream of Brit rival Lee Merrien before hitting top gear over the final three miles to win the Record-backed event in 49 minutes and 36 seconds.

He said: “I did run with a bit of baggage. I thought, ‘I must win this.’ And that weighed on my mind. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be Mo in the Olympics, having to think like that. It was weird. It’s not normal for me to expect to win. I go into races wanting to win but this is different.

“Coming second would have been a disappointment.”

Thompson revealed he’s quit the States to move back to the UK to prepare for a double tilt at European and Commonwealth medals this year.

And although he’s yet to nail down his spot in England’s team for Glasgow 2014, a little Scottish success has left him hungry for more.

He said: “I’ve got an unbeaten streak going into Glasgow. Going into London I was saying I was unbeaten because I’d never run one. But now that one’s gone, maybe I’ll fake a hamstring so I can keep my Scottish streak going.

“Hopefully, I’ll get picked for the 5000 or 10,000 metres – at least one of them. I think the 10 is more likely at this stage.”

Merrien crossed the finish line 18 seconds further back with Shettleston Harriers Tewolde Mengisteab in third.

Meanwhile, Scots star Susan Partridge steamrolled her way to second place in the women’s event, the 34-year-old finishing 19 seconds behind late entrant Gemma Steel who broke the tape in 56 minutes and six seconds.

Partridge said: “It was a test to see where I’m at. It’s only the start of my build-up to the Commonwealths so I don’t need to be flying. For me it went better than I was expecting.”

There was no joy for local favourite Freya Ross, however, who pulled up injured after five miles while challenging for the lead.

More than 5000 entrants took part with ex-world champion Sonia O’Sullivan finishing in 66 minutes and four seconds after starting with the fun runners. The Irish legend, 44, said: “I had nobody pass me until the end but I’d passed them first so I won’t count that.”